The Proteas and Sri Lanka move on to Kingsmead, Durban for Sunday’s third One Day International and after two comfortable wins South Africa are 2-0 up with three to play.
After taking out the series opener with an 8 wicket win in Johannesburg South Africa made it 2-0 when they came out on top with a 113 run victory at Centurion on Wednesday.
After losing the toss the Proteas were invited to bat first at Supersport Park in the second contest and the bulk of their runs came from the top order. Quinton de Kock top scored with 94 off just 70 balls including South Africa’s only 6 of the innings. Reeza Hendricks made just 29 of the opening stand of 91 and Faf du Plessis added 57. At 137/2 in the 23rd over one would expected 300 plus but wickets tumbled and South Africa were bowled out for 251 with just under 5 overs left unused. Thisara Perera was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with figures of 3/26 in his 7 overs.
Sri Lanka were in trouble early in the chase, losing both openers in 5.1 overs with just 29 runs on the board. They never recovered with Oshada Fernando’s 31 the top score and the visitors were bowled out for 138 in 32.2 overs. Rabada took 3 wickets and Ngidi, Nortje and Tahir all claimed 2. Sri Lanka did manage to hit 2 maximums but it was a one sided game and de Kock was named Man of the Match.
This was how the teams lined up at Centurion on Wednesday
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen
Sri Lanka: Lasith Malinga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Kasun Rajitha
The Venue, Kingsmead, Durban
Although the Proteas have an awful record in test matches in Durban their ODI recent form here comprises of 6 wins and 1 defeat in the last 7. The only defeat came against India last year and in 2017 they beat Sri Lanka by 121 runs at this venue.
In January this year the Proteas took on Pakistan at Kingsmead and Andile Phehlukwayo took 4 wickets and Shamzi 3 as Pakistan were bowled out for 203 in 45.5 overs. Phehlukwayo (60) and van der Dussen (80) were unbeaten at the crease as the Proteas coasted to a 5 wicket win with 48 balls remaining.
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 73 times in this format with South Africa winning 40 to Sri Lanka’s 31 with 1 tie and 1 no result.
With home advantage 30 meetings have seen South Africa win 22, Sri Lanka 7 and there has been 1 tie.
The Betting, WSB: Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R10,000 here
South Africa 1 / 4
Sri Lanka 3/1
Note prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Verdict:
It’s been a one sided series so far and the Proteas will want to close out the series win at the earliest opportunity which will probably see them experiment to some degree in the final 2 matches. I think we could also see a couple of changes here as well and I’ll speculate that Shamsi may get a game which would make him a runner in the top home bowler market.
Kingsmead was the scene of Kusal Perara’s unbelievable knock to get Sri Lanka over the line in the first test match and with that in mind he could worth following in the top away team bat market.
Suggested Bets: Top Away Bat, Kusal Perara at 4/1
Top Home Bowler Shamsi at 4/1
Remember you can have your own say on all this week’s matches on our discussion forum
